The Episure AutoDetect syringe, a spring-loaded syringe, is a new loss-of-resistance syringe with an internal compression spring that applies constant pressure on the plunger. In this pilot study, we compared the spring-loaded syringe with the standard glass syringe for identification of the epidural space during initiation of epidural analgesia in parturients. The primary outcome was the incidence of failed epidural analgesia. Three-hundred and twenty-five women were enrolled. Eight residents performed 291 procedures (90%) and two attendings performed 34 procedures (10%). Epidural analgesia failed in five subjects in the glass syringe group and in no subject in the spring-loaded syringe group (P = 0.025).